Derrylin 0-9 Erne Gaels 5-16


Erne Gaels rediscovered their mojo in this comprehensive defeat of Derrylin to get their first two points on the board.


Two defeats to Belnaleck and Derrygonnelly had stung last year’s county finalists and a weakened Derrylin bore the brunt of that hurt pride.


The winners welcomed back Shane Rooney who made an impressive return after being out for over a month along with the powerful Michael Óg McGarrigle, Dan McCann and Tommy McCafffey coming off the bench in a much stronger outfit.


The gifted Aogan Kelm was the star of the show hitting an impressive 2-3 and his speed and guile were a constant threat to an overworked Derrylin defence who responded through points from Jake Smith mainly.


The winners led by 2-10 to 0-7 with the goals coming from Aogan Kelm and Dan McCann.


Kelm added a number of points as did Greg McGlone and Shane Rooney who hit three in an impressive 20-minute outing.


Kelm, Gregory McGlone and Seamus Ryder hit the second half goals as Derrylin could only hit two more points from Smith.


Kelm, Dan McCann, Oran Johnston, Ryder and Barry McCann all had points in the second half.


Erne Gaels boss Declan Bonner said he was happy with his side’s win. “I know Derrylin are weakened, and we have been blistered with injuries ourselves, but we had a few regulars back today and they made a good difference.


“And while you can only play what is in front of you, I was happy with the way the boys played today.


“We had Shane Rooney, Michael Óg McGarrigle, Dan McCann and Tommy McCaffrey and we did not have these players against Belnaleck or Derrygonnelly.


“They are big players for us, and we have Jack McCann, Brian Mullin, and Ryan Lyons on the injury list and we hope to have them back for the championship and Ultan Kelm when he comes back from Australis.

“This was a badly needed win and we need to build on that as we get our full squad back in action."


Meanwhile, Derrylin boss Sean Donnelly said Erne Gaels were just too strong. “Shane Rooney, Tommy McCaffrey and the two Kelm’s Aogan and Oisin were very good and they just came out and blew us away in the first half," he said.


“Erne Gaels will be hard enough to beat, and they will have Ultan Kelm back when he comes back from Australia for the rest of the summer.


“But we have lost a total of 21 players in the past two years and that is hard to cope with.”